TIMELINE: What to expect in North Carolina from Florence

The slow-moving storm is dumping historic rainfall and causing flooding across North Carolina. Here's what to expect in Charlotte through Sunday night.

Author:
WCNC Staff

Published:
3:11 PM EDT September 15, 2018

Updated:
6:51 PM EDT September 16, 2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tropical Depression Florence is now over the Charlotte area after crawling across the Carolinas as a snail's pace Friday and Saturday. The storm's sustained winds are down to just 35 mph, but heavy rain and flash flooding are threats to the western Carolinas Sunday.

The First Warn Storm Team has a preview of what to expect as the deadly storm moves through Charlotte and into the mountains.

Sunday Morning

The heaviest rain from Florence moved in around 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Some areas east of Charlotte have experienced rainfall rates of two inches per hour.

"There is rainfall all across the entire area," said First Warn forecaster Larry Sprinkle. "Rain, just steady rain will continue and it's going to be that way all day."

Meteorologist Chris Mulcahy expects wind gusts to be in the 30-40 mph range as the Charlotte area remains under a Wind Advisory until Sunday night. Thousands of Duke Energy customers in the Charlotte area are without power as trees fall across the area from the saturated ground and strong wind gusts.

Charlotte is currently expected to have four to seven inches of rain from Florence through Sunday. Some areas east, including Rockingham and farther east on Highway 74 could see up to 10 inches of rainfall.

Sunday Afternoon

The heavy rain from Florence will continue to push into the Piedmont of North Carolina and the mountains. Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich says the threat for flash flooding will peak between 7:30 a.m. and about 2 p.m. for the Piedmont. The mountains will be at risk for flash flooding and landslides through Sunday night and into Monday due to the downpours.

The flow around TD #Florence is now pushing very heavy rain into the Piedmont of NC and into the Mountains. We will see the threat for flash flooding peaking now until about 1-2pm for the Piedmont and continue into the mountains tonight. #cltwx#ncwx#scwxpic.twitter.com/h13WdDst0A

Window out in a 'Helping the Orphan' thrift store in Fayetteville. Credit: Clay Gordon

SUV underwater in New Bern, NC. Credit: Rachel Roller

Massive tree down in Charlotte off of Sharon Road. Credit: Kendall Morris

Photo: Carrie Pressley

Photo: Jason Houck , Emerald Isle

ATLANTIC BEACH, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Waves crash underneath the Oceana Pier as the outer bands of Hurricane Florence being to affect the coast September 13, 2018 in Atlantic Beach, United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

PHOTO: Tim Fitch

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Indian Trail

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Fort Mill

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Fort Mill

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Fort Mill

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Revolution Park

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Indian Trail

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Statesville

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Statesville

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Statesville

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Briar Creek

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Providence Plantation

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Mint Hill

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Near Bojangles Coliseum

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McMullen Creek

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Carolina Golf Club

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Carolina Golf Club

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Carolina Golf Club

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Near Bojangles Coliseum

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Myers Park. Photo by Xavier Walton.

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Myers Park. Photo by Xavier Walton.

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Myers Park. Photo by Xavier Walton.

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A fallen tree in Waxhaw, NC. Photo: Ron McLauchlin

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Indian Land, SC. Photo by Bob Hager.

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Matt Toadvine, of Mint Hill

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Brian Wells, of Matthews

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A downed tree in Charlotte (Photo: Katie Wagner)

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A downed tree in Charlotte (Photo: Katie Wagner)

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A massive tree split and fell on multiple homes on Howard Street in north Charlotte on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Window out in a 'Helping the Orphan' thrift store in Fayetteville. Credit: Clay Gordon

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SUV underwater in New Bern, NC. Credit: Rachel Roller

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Massive tree down in Charlotte off of Sharon Road. Credit: Kendall Morris

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Photo: Carrie Pressley

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Photo: Jason Houck , Emerald Isle

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ATLANTIC BEACH, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Waves crash underneath the Oceana Pier as the outer bands of Hurricane Florence being to affect the coast September 13, 2018 in Atlantic Beach, United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)